Exploring orofacial myofunctional therapy and its core components in mixed-dentition anterior open bite: the ombit...

To explore the therapeutic effects of OMT in children with AOB in the mixed dentition phase, including a reduced form of OMT (focusing exclusively on breathing pattern and resting postures; OMT_BPO) and traditional OMT (also including strength training and correction of swallowing; OMT_BPSS).

In this double-baseline, longitudinal study, eight children with AOB (mean age 8.1 years old) were randomly allocated to the OMT_BPO (n = 4) or OMT_BPSS group (n = 4). Each participant received 7.5 h of OMT across 10 sessions. Outcomes included occlusal parameters, Photographic Open bite Severity Index (POSI) and Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) using 3D intraoral scans, orofacial function based on clinical and standardized assessment (Orofacial Myofunctional Evaluation with Scores; OMES), strength and endurance measurements, and oral health-related quality of life (child oral health impact profile - ortho; COHIP-ortho).

Immediately post-therapy, anterior tongue strength had significantly increased in the full sample. At three-month follow-up, palatal volume, lateral lip endurance, and OMES function and deglutition scores had significantly increased, and vertical overbite had decreased. The PAR index showed a significant proportional reduction of 35% from baseline to the last follow-up moment (on average 6 months after therapy). The OMT_BPO group showed significantly lower rates of atypical tongue posture and interdental articulation at six-month follow-up.

This study took a first step in exploring the effectiveness of OMT components in mixed-dentition AOB. Measurable short- to mid-term functional and occlusal improvements were found, and comparable outcomes between protocols suggest that posture-focused OMT may be an efficient interceptive approach. Further research including randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes is required to provide evidence on efficacy and long-term stability.